R&B Bridgez: Celebrating Ivan Matias’ 30th Anniversary
Today Is The 30th Anniversary of The "Set It Off' Soundtrack Release.
This year marks the 30th Anniversary debut of our very own Ivan Matias.
Today, specifically is the 30th anniversary of the “Set It Off” soundtrack release. Originally released September 24th, 1996 via Elektra.
The album spawned four hit singles, including En Vogue‘s biggest hit, penned by Ivan.
Today we celebrate a lyrical genius, and the success his talants have brought.
Ivan Matias is a singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, hip hop ghostwriter, and entrepreneur.
If you know him personally, then you know he’s also an interior designer, chef, and full-time comedian.
Ivan first emerged in his early twenties, a New York native of Puerto Rican descent.
Ivan got his start in the business dancing for artists and later performing background vocals.
“I had a musical theater background that included dance training. I took classes at Broadway Dance Center with Frank Hatchett. Celebs & industry pros filled his classes or would show up just to watch.” Ivan continued; “While in High School & shortly after, I did several music videos & was a competition dancer with a group called “New World.” We were often the youngest on the competition circuit with a mixed genre style that centered around street dancing with polished choreography & intricate, trendy sequences that often gave us the edge over older dancers with more training. Having done musicals since pre-teen years, dance was always a part of that. My sister studied dance also. Watching her & trying to keep up was what made dance effortless for me by my high-school years.”
Ivan Matias signed his first publishing deal with Warner Chappell at age 18.
He was signed by Denis Ingoldsby of First Avenue management (Eternal, Dina Carroll) in 1994, after meeting him on a flight to Africa.
After leaving high-school he became a dancer, who choreographed videos for Bobby Brown & Jody Watley.
Ivan Matias also shared the stage with Mariah Carey.
Ivan and his good friend, recording artist & songwriter Andrea Martin also began writing hits together around that time.
The two met while attending famous Fame the school of the performing arts.
In August of 1996, Ivan Matias released his debut studio album, “Sweetest Hangover” via Arista Records/First Avenue Records.
The album was released in Japan. With Ivan doing the majority of the promotion in the UK.
In celebration of his 30th anniversary, Ivan shared what that experience was like for him as a new artist from Brooklyn;
“It was odd being alone in another country. Management kept me in A-list circles. Europeans aren’t fond of Americans unless you’re in entertainment. It made my experience a mixed bag. I made friends, but they were mostly celebrities in the UK. They were always touring & didn’t have a normal life or considerations. We’d have to hang out in confined situations.
I got to tour & perform with them, open for them or sing background for them. They’d do arenas & large venues, so it was interesting but not normal. It was bittersweet as I didn’t have my people around to enjoy it with. Once I started working with Andrea on other projects outside of mine, I’d travel regularly back to NYC so we could write. It gave me a sense of normalcy, which was ironic as dual residency became my “new normal.”
Living between London, NYC & LA while traveling all over the US to meet with my new partner for writing sessions. Management & Arista wanted me to record this Diane Warren song. I didn’t feel it was a good fit. After they convinced me to record it, they decided to release it as a single. I left London in protest & refused to promote it.
Having given up movie roles & writing time to make an album with a lead single I hated, I decided to return to NYC permanently and commit full-time to my writing partnership with Andrea. We’d just recorded “You’re The One” & orher songs on SWV & others, so that gave me the confidence to pivot. I was signed almost immediately by Sylvia Rhone to Elektra records.”
While Ivan‘s Arista debut did not impact the US Billboard 200, it spawned two singles; “I’ve Had Enough” and “So Good (To Come Home To).”
Among the musicians backing him on “Sweetest Hangover” were his writing partner and friend Andrea Martin, Camus Celli, David Anthony, Shelly Peiken, Aaron “Freedom” Lyles, Jorge Corante, Diane Warren, Andy Marvel, Nigel Lowis, Franne Golde, Johnny Douglas, Andres Levin, and legendary Narada Michael Walden.
For his 30th anniversary, Ivan gets candid reflecting on his time working with Narda Michael Walden;
“I stayed in San Francisco for a month to record with Narada Michael Walden during my birthday. The Whitney, Aretha, Shanice producer was & still is one of my all time favorite creatives. His brother drove me everywhere in a convertible. Label execs flew out & surprised me with a cake & Narada gave me a watch that I still have.
I never celebrate my birthday. When I was 9, my mom dropped off a cake to school so I could celebrate my b-day with classmates which was common then. My teacher berated me all day saying my birthday ruined his lesson plan. Ever since then, I’ve felt uncomfortable with being the center of attention on my birthday. I remember feeling so bad that I couldn’t control or hide my discomfort as it came off like non-gratitude.
Narada had the nicest house I’d ever seen. He was gracious & non judgmental of my lacking refinement. He also introduced me to meditation.”
The song “Somebody Knows How You Feel” from the album, was covered by British singer Beverlei Brown for her debut album, “Next to You” in 2001.
The same year in 1996, Ivan emerged as a recording artist, he also proved to the industry his pen was just as serious.
In March, SWV released the gold “You’re the One,” as the lead single from their second album, “New Beginning.”
Ivan was the vocal arranger on the single, which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
“On & On” was another fan-favorite from the album penned by Ivan and Andrea Martin, along with Eric Sermon. “Whatcha Need” was another one Ivan also contributed to, along with long-time SWV composer Brian Alexander Morgan.
The summer of 96′ would bring one of the summer’s hottest films and soundtracks “Set It Off.”
The single “Don’t Let Go (Love)” recorded by En Vogue, was co-written and composed by Ivan Matias and Andrea Martin.
The albums title track featurires Andrea Martin, Ivan Matias, and Queen Latifah.
The soundtrack led with the title track “Set It Off,” penned by Ivan and Andrea, along with Organized Noize.
The track also featured the films star Queen Latifah. The video which featured clips from the film, was in constant rotation on BET.
Featuring Ivan, alongside Queen Latifah, Andrea Martin, Organized Noize, Outkast, Goodie Mob and Mista.
Ivan went on as a sough out songwriter, penning some of the biggest urban hits of the 90s and early 2000s.
Including the late great Angie Stone’s “Wish I Didn’t Miss You,” The Braxtons’ “Only Love,” P!nk’s “Private Show,” Tracie Spencer’s “Still in My Heart,” Blu Cantrell’s “Breathe,” Another Level’s “Be Alone No More,” Toni Braxton’s “A Better Man,” and Melanie Fiona’s “Teach Him.”
In 1999 his single “Messin’ Around” appeared on the Mod Squad soundtrack.
Ivan also appeared with Changing Faces on the track “Do Little Things” from the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack.
As an artist he’s had 4 major record deals (Atlantic, London/Polygram, Arista & Elektra) and lived in London four years while he was signed to Arista.
Ivan Matias can sing in six different languages and is the winner of 7 ASCAP awards, and a Soul Train Award.
With additional nominations for a Grammy, American Music Award and Billboard Award.
Ivan is easily one of the most talented and creative artist in the business.
In 2002 Ivan created and managed Caushun “The Gay Rapper,” which was an internationally acclaimed parody rapper that was featured on MTV, BET, VH1, NY Times and Hot 97 to name a few.
Aries from UB spoke to Ivan Matias for this feature and asked him, as a songwriter what are three songs he’s the most proudest of?
“”You’re The One,” not just because it was my first hit with Andrea. Their A&R Kenny Ortiz gave us a shot & put us with Allstar who’d already had remix successes with Teddy Riley on “Right Here” Human Nature remix. I was an actual fan of SWV prior to working with them which is rare for me. It made the experience so special on so many levels.
“Wish I Didn’t Miss You.” Having known & worked with Angie on tons of demos since I was a teen, since she was in the Vertical Hold group. It was awesome to come full circle decades later to write & produce a single for her that became her most successful hit.
There’s a song Andrea & I wrote called “The Final Goodbye” which we never released. Clive Davis & I had an epic fight over it before I pulled it from Andreas album. He wanted to give it to someone else to produce as a final addition to her album. I felt that her album production was watered down from our demos in an effort to add name recognition. Rodney Jenkins, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill & others.
I explained to Clive that in spite of their name value; their production had diluted the magic & raw essence of Andrea & the songs we’d written that they produced. He’d promised Andrea creative control to get her not to sign with Sylvia at Elektra. I told him “The Final Goodbye” was special & I couldn’t let Arista’s name recognition fetish butcher our song. He told me I was making a mistake. I told him one of us was wrong & how well Andrea’s record performs in sales & chart would determine who. I didn’t want to be right, but I was. That remains my favorite song we ever wrote.
My third choice of released songs is “Messin’ Around” on “The Mod Squad” soundtrack. After years of Arista trying to make me a Soul-ish Pop artist, it was the 1st time I released a record where I didn’t feel pigeon holed into a pop inspired vocal performance by a label or management.”
Ivan and Andrea created songs for many artists that were never released, including for the late great Aaliyah, Tamia, Brandy, and Mary J. to say just a few. We asked Ivan which unreleased song was his favorite and why?
““Do Little Things” on the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack. The label wanted it as a duet with Brandy & Ray J for a single. In hindsight, I should have agreed as it might have been my biggest hit. However, there was an A&R at Atlantic who was low-key trying to sabotage me when I signed to Sylvia instead of Atlantic. I couldn’t be sure that he wouldn’t try to block it as a single within the label, so I insisted that either Andrea or I had to remain on it. I ended up dueting with Changing Faces on it.”
In closing; what is something you would like the world to know about your friend and songwriting partner Andrea Martin?
“Andrea & I had a layered & complicated relationship that industry execs wanted dissolved. If they could divide us, we’d be easier to control. They’d promise her record deals in exchange for discounted fees on our songs. They’d then call me claiming that Andrea was offering our songs at discounted rates for her own personal gain of a record deal. Framing it as her “betrayal” behind my back was why they wouldn’t sign her. BUT, still wanted me to honor the discounted price she quoted them on our songs.
That’s the kind of parasitic industry antics we were up against. Regularly. Andrea gave this industry her life, gift, passion, loyalty, dreams & final days. In exchange, they pillaged her catalog & monopolized her time on earth while weaponizing her desire to be valued & validated by peers as an Artist, beyond her writing. They gave her just enough crumbs to come back for more. Seeing these industry figures online, offering public displays of admiration, which she never heard from most directly is surreal.
There is so much about our partnership that I wanted to clear up for years. Narratives & falsehoods that were planted in the media & throughout the industry. However, Andrea was quietly fighting for her life during those situations. Literally. Time & circumstance caused her to make the best choices she could to document & archive her legacy in the absence of industry support which was promised but never delivered. Like the Robin S “Show Me Love” situation. Insiders know the whole truth. They all remained quiet.
Sometime before her passing, I called to wish Annie a Happy Birthday. She proposed we start working together again with stipulations. I wasn’t comfortable with the proposal & declined. Shortly after that, she went on a publicity run where she publicly singularized accounts of the catalog we’d created together. The type of illness she battled often causes neuropsychiatric symptoms which lead to changes in thinking, behavior & mood. So I never addressed it.
Meanwhile, those same power players I reached out to after her passing did NOTHING to help get her included in the “In Memoriam” portion of the Grammy award ceremony. She wasn’t included with three months to get it done. It confirmed everything I’d ever felt about them.
When I look back at the divinely orchestrated presence & impact that Andrea & I had in each other’s lives; I feel nothing but gratitude. The good far outweighs the bad.
The beauty of our journey together was the gift that keeps on giving. I’ve learned so much about myself and others through her. Though it might not sound like it, I’ve even let the resentment toward the industry go because; navigating the hurdles & adversity of the industry together is what brought our connection closest. The music we created together are bookmarks of our epic odyssey.”
Ivan Matias is Creative Director of Operations here at UBG and currently working on some music and film related projects.
Over the years, Ivan has shared his expertise in various UB features, including The Round Table Discussion, our Clive Davis memoriam and his Industry Talk exclusive interview, that has been currently trending for months.
“UB A.I.R. (Am I Ready),” was the brainchild of Ivan Matias in 2012. The special monthly feature included emerging artists submitting music, and getting advice from Ivan.
UB Anniversary ReVisit: Singer/Songwriter Ivan Matias Divulges Stories Of The Music Industry
UB Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Andrea Martin’s ‘The Best of Me’
UB In Memoriam: Music Industry God Clive Davis + Ivan Matias Contributes
ReVisit Industry Round Table: Stephen Hill, Ivan Matias, AriesUBG + More
